February 2006 in Florida, Part III

Tuesday, February 21, 2006 (Pre-journal)

Reader Andy Page from the UK writes:

This observation on our great nation:

"Being British is about driving in a German car to an Irish pub for a Belgian beer, then traveling home, grabbing an Indian meal on the way, to sit on Swedish furniture and watch American shows on a Japanese TV."

And the most British thing of all?

"Suspicion of anything foreign."

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Reader Don Bull writes (with respect to my open corkscrew drawers of a few days ago):

Friday, February 24, 2006

Saturday, February 25, 2006

A THOCBDC first and only: Car washes 12 time zones apart (*).

Far from Bangkok I have discovered a wonderful machine that washes cars. No humans are involved until the post-drying phase. The whole process takes less than 5 minutes (about 25 minutes less than what it takes the Bangkok team to do the same job [**]).

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Monday, February 27, 2006

Lost and found among the corkscrews are these three 'tools'. One of these is pretty self evident. The other two are ... well ... any guesses?

Tuesday, February 28, 2006

THOCBDC was overwhelmed with replies to yesterday's question. A random selection of our readers includes:

This from Don Bull:

At top is a tool for measuring cordage (rope).

At bottom left is a level.

At bottom right is a circumcision tool with measure for checking before and after.

From Arizona, reader K writes:

Looks like one of the tools is to measure the thickness of rope or cable. I've seen stuff like that on the docks. The other looks like a folding yard stick with a metal extension. Folded in half it would give 18" centers. I've got a folding tape like that.

The other of course is identical to my old ship fitter's torpedo level.

Another Don says:

The top two tools seem to be gauges to measure the diameter of Manila rope and predict the breaking load. It may or may not include a margin of safety.

The bottom left is of course some kind of spirit level, no idea if is for some kind of special application.

The one on the bottom right looks somehow familiar, but I am not sure from where. Just a wild guess, it may have something to do with measuring materials for a pitched roof.

The spirit level and the device for figuring out the breaking points for such things as three strand tarred hemp and galvanized hawser steel ropes sort of speak for themselves ... but that other thing???? Here are some closer shots of all three of the tools. Concentrate your minds on that mystery tool.

PS: Yesterday afternoon Watcharee prepared a Thai lunch for three other Thai women: Ta (in blue), Jun (wearing pink) and Som (basic green). Readers know Ta; but both Jun and Som are new to the house. The meal is not.